A Double-Edged Life

Jill Gebhart Campbell's passion for poetry, writing, and drawing prompted her to write this book, utilizing these creative genres, in order to portray her bipolar illness in a more personal way. It is also a reflection of how the devastating effects of bipolar disorder shaped her life. The author's story is about a young woman's odyssey of triumph and sorrow and her journey to find herself again. Before her diagnosis, she was a beautiful, compassionate young woman who excelled in both athletics and academics. After her diagnosis she gained more than 120 pounds-due to health issues, sick children, psychiatric hospitalizations, and unsuitable medications. She became depressed, self-consumed, and bitter. The debilitating depression and hauntingly real hallucinations forever impacted the way she sees life and how life sees her. Her faith in God proved to be her ultimate anchor through her heart-wrenching circumstances. After admission to solitary confinement, due to hallucinations, she experienced an even more profound depression. "The white walls, barred windows, cold cement floors, and white bedding only exacerbated my feelings of isolation and left me swirling downward in an even deeper depression." However, the Lord's unconditional love has allowed her to walk on the bright side once again. She overcame all the odds to become the woman she longed to be. She has attained the serenity one reaches when they've been to the very end, beyond hope, yet made it back.